Updated November 10, 2022
GNM, full form General Nursing and Midwifery or commonly known as GNM Nursing. General Nursing and Midwifery is a diploma level nursing course that lasts for 3.5 years, including six months of mandatory internship. GNM Nursing course is dedicated of providing skills and knowledge related to patient care and clinical treatment.
A student aspiring to a career in healthcare can pursue GNM Diploma after 12th in any stream with a minimum aggregate of 50-60 % from any recognised board. However, one who has completed his 12th in science stream with biology as the main subject are given first preference.
Admission to the GNM course is made through various state-level entrance exams like Gujrat GNM, WB GNM, Kerala GNM, Assam GNM, Maharashtra GNM, etc. Some of the institutes in India also offer admissions to GNM diplomas via both entrance exams and merit-based.
The average fee for a GNM diploma course in India may range from Rs 20,000 to Rs 150000 per annum, depending upon the figure determined by the particular universities/colleges.
Types of GNM Nursing Courses
In India, GNM Nursing has been categorised into three segments/versions, Basic GNM nursing, Post Basic GNM Nursing, and Distance GNM nursing.
- Basic GNM Nursing:- The basic GNM is the most popular version of GNM. This undergraduate program helps students learn about nursing and acquire the necessary skills to provide complete nursing services to patients suffering from many illnesses. The program is designed to prepare general nurses that can function effectively as members of the health team at a variety of hospitals as well as other organisations. Candidates must pass their class 12th exams in a science stream with a minimum of 40% marks to be eligible for the degree that lasts for three years. Candidates must be between 17 to 35. In addition, all students must be medically healthy.
- Post-Basic GNM Nursing:- Advanced learning is studied by students in post-basic GNM or post-basic BSc Nursing courses. The post basic GNM is taught in the classroom and through educational trips & clinical sessions. Post-basic GNM is a great program and has enormous potentials from career aspects. Students can be employed in nursing schools, clinics, public health centres, and other places. The elementary version of this program is three years long, while the common version runs for two years.
- Distance GNM Nursing:- Since GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) is a highly technical field, remote learning options are limited. In this case, students should be cautious of institutions that offer GNM through distance learning.
General Nursing and Midwifery Eligibility Criteria
The Minimum eligibility criteria to pursue a GNM diploma program in India are, candidates must have completed Class 12th in any stream with a minimum aggregate of 50-60 % from the recognised board. However, candidates who have completed 12th in science stream with Biology subjects are given first preference. Also, they need to register themselves as ANM from any Nursing Councils and obtain the minimum required marks in their GNM Nursing Entrance Exam.
GNM Diploma Program Admission Process
Admission to the GNM Nursing course is usually made through various state level entrance exams conducted by State Nursing Councils in collaboration with State Health Departments. The merit list is prepared in order to offer admission to the aspirant based on the result score of various state level entrance exams. GNM Nursing Distance Learning course from IGNOU New Delhi is also available for the Nursing aspirants.
For appearing in GNM Courses entrance exams, candidates must pass Class 12th from any recognised board. One cannot apply for GNM admission who are still in Class 12th.
Students are needed to fill the application form and deposit the admission fees. After that, they will be given direct admission if their score meets the college’s criterion they are planning for.
GNM Nursing Entrance Exams
Several State Nursing Councils conduct the GNM Nursing entrance exams in collaboration with State Health Departments to offer admission to the GNM Nursing Course. Every state has its entrance test for admission in GNM courses, and these are listed below.
- Bihar GNM
- Sikkim GNM
- Kerala GNM
- Assam GNM
- Punjab GNM
- Tripura GNM
- Gujarat GNM
- Haryana GNM
- Manipur GNM
- Mizoram GNM
- Rajasthan GNM
- Karnataka GNM
- Telangana GNM
- Meghalaya GNM
- Chhatisgarh GNM
- Maharashtra GNM
- Odisha GNM/ANM
- Andhra Pradesh GNM
- Tamil Nadu (TN) GNM
- Jharkhand GNM/ANM
- West Bengal (WB) GNM
- Arunachal Pradesh GNM
- Uttar Pradesh (UP) GNM
- IOCL BSc Nursing and GNM
- Himachal Pradesh (HP) GNM
- Madhya Pradesh GNTST/PNST
- Uttarakhand HNBUMU GNM Admission
GNM Nursing Syllabus
The GNM diploma program is designed to prepare students as nurses and help them develop the skills needed to be effective in a hospital setting and offer first aid, blood pressure monitoring, and so on. They also can effectively work in a team and contribute to research projects. So, aspirants need to know all the aspects associated with the profession. Below mentioned in the table is the syllabus taught during the course.
| Year | Subjects | Topics |
| First Year | Behavioural Sciences | Sociology |
| Psychology | ||
| Biological Sciences | Microbiology | |
| Anatomy & Physiology | ||
| Fundamentals of Nursing | First Aid | |
| Personal Hygiene | ||
| Fundamentals of Nursing | ||
| Community Health Nursing | Nutrition | |
| Environmental Hygiene | ||
| Community Health Nursing | ||
| Health Education & Communication Skill | ||
| Language | English | |
| Second Year | Medical-Surgical Nursing I | Introduction |
| Nursing Assessment | ||
| Clinical Pharmacology | ||
| Altered Immune Response | ||
| Patho-Physiological Mechanism of Disease | ||
| Communicable Diseases | Assessment | |
| Review of infection, how it spreads and its control | ||
| Reparation, care and administration of antisera and vaccines | ||
| Isolation- review of epidemiology and control measures | ||
| Management of various infectious diseases | ||
| Ear, Nose and Throat | Assessment of the functions of the ear, nose, and throat | |
| Disorders and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat | ||
| Management of conditions and diseases of ear, nose, and throat | ||
| Oncology/Skin | Nursing Management of Patients with abnormal cell growth | |
| Classification of cancer | ||
| Detection and prevention |
GNM Diploma Course Colleges in India
Top colleges in India that are famous for offering renowned GNM Diploma courses are listed below.
- SRM Kanchipuram, Chennai
- John’s Medical College, Bangalore
- CMC (Christian Medical College), Vellore
- CMC (Christian Medical College), Ludhiana
- IRT Perundurai Medical College, Perundurai
- Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura
- GMC (Government Medical College), Kozhikode
- Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot
- TDMC (Thirumala Devaswom Medical College), Alappuzha
- KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology), Bhubaneswar
- GMCH (Government Medical College and Hospital), Chandigarh
- IPGMER (Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research), Kolkata
Career Options and Job profile
GNM Nursing encompasses a wide range of career options. One can either take up jobs or opt for higher education like BSc Nursing or Post-Basic BSc Nursing for broader career aspects. GNM program is competent enough to provide jobs in the various employment area. After completing this course, one can start their career in nursing by joining as a Health Visitor, Community Health Worker, Home Nurse, Basic & Rural Health Worker and also as Aanganwaadi and ASHA worker. Below is the list of various other job roles after GNM nursing.
- Staff Nurse
- Forensic Nurse
- Home Care Nurse
- Health Care Nurse
- Legal Consulting Nurse
- Nurse Educator (Senior)
- Teacher – Nursing School
- Community Health Nurse
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- ICU (Intensive Care Unit) Nurse
GNM Nursing Salary
The average salary of a GNM Graduates varies with the experience, and a fresher can expect an average salary of 1.5 to 2 lakhs per annum. However, their average salary may range from 1.5 to 7.5 lakh per annum, depending on the candidate’s job profile, experience and recruiter. For instance, a Clinical/Hospital Nurse, Forensic Nurse and Legal Consulting Nurse may earn an average salary between 4.5 to 5.5 lakh per annum. In comparison, a nurse educator (senior) may earn an average salary of 9.5 lakh per annum.
FAQs Related GNM Courses
Ans- GNM, full form General Nursing and Midwifery or commonly known as GNM Nursing. General Nursing and Midwifery is a diploma level nursing course that lasts for 3.5 years, including six months of mandatory internship. GNM Nursing course is dedicated of providing skills and knowledge related to patient care and clinical treatment.
Ans- If someone is aspiring to a lucrative and reputed career in healthcare industry, then B.sc Nursing course is undoubtedly better than GNM in every aspect like career growth, higher studies, salary, etc. B.sc Nursing is more valuable course than General Nursing and Midwifery.
Ans- The average salary of a GNM Graduates varies with the experience, and a fresher can expect an average salary of 1.5 to 2 lakhs per annum. However, their average salary may range from 1.5 to 7.5 lakh per annum, depending on the candidate’s job profile, experience and recruiter. For instance, a Clinical/Hospital Nurse, Forensic Nurse and Legal Consulting Nurse may earn an average salary between 4.5 to 5.5 lakh per annum. In comparison, a nurse educator (senior) may earn an average salary of 9.5 lakh per annum.